An American Hero Workshop

An American Hero Workshop

Series
WBAI And NPR Playhouse
Original Broadcast Date
1/26/1979
Cast
Joe Frank
Format
Absurd Monologue, 59 minutes
Chronology
Preceded by:	Laughing Back - A Movie For Radio
Followed by:	A Call In The Night

My favorite TV program features an undercover detective who uses various disguises to snare his victims.

An American Hero Workshop is the name of a program produced by Joe Frank as part of the series NPR Playhouse. It was originally broadcast in 1979.

Synopsis

Joe describes his favorite TV program, returning to his feelings of emptiness and depression after viewing it. Its lead actor appears on an interview program and says he unwinds at a Los Angeles bar called The Hero Lounge. A shooter kills twelve people at random; neighbors predictably say he was a gentle, unassuming, church-going family man. Joe himself is unassuming, helpful, and deferential, but is wildly aggressive when driving his car. He drives to The Hero Lounge with a pair of brass knuckles, feeling larger than life, like the lead actor in a film. He sees the TV actor dressed as a woman; they dance, go bar hopping, then go to Joe's apartment. They become friends, then companions, and move in together - then fight. The actor discovers Joe's cocaine habit and must arrest Joe, who grabs a gun to kill the actor. Joe wonders if he's dreaming or on television. The actor chases Joe and they fight on a rooftop. Joe muses that he always wanted to be a hero, but everything has gone wrong - if only there had been a hero workshop...

Music

• "Music For 18 Musicians" - Steve Reich (from Music For 18 Musicians, 1978) | YouTube [Intro]
• "Feel It" - The Crusaders (from Free As The Wind, 1977) | YouTube [5:27]

Miscellanea

• Joe Frank wrote and narrated the introductory 10 minute segment of this episode of "Options: A Radio Experience", an early NPR program announced by Mike Waters.

Commentary

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